Method of stemming tobacco-leaves.



J. 0'. MORRIS. METHOD OF STEMMING TOBACCO LEAVES.

APELIOATION FILED JIUNE 20, 1908.

Patented June 14,1910.

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J. O. MORRIS.

METHOD OF STEMMING TOBACCO LEAVES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20, 1908. I 913% Patented June 1910.

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SIGNMENTS, T0 NATIONAL TOBACCO STEMIVIING MACHINE COMPANY, 0F BALTI- MORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

METHOD OF STEMIVEING TOBACCO-LEAVES.

Original application filed November5, 1907, Serial No. 400,873.

Specification of Letters Patent.

, 1908. Serial No. 439,554.

-t e accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in the method of stemming tobacco leaves, and this application is a division of my application? Serial No. 400,873,filed November 5th, 190

The present method of stripping the blades of tobacco leaves from the stems consists primarily in subjecting the leaves to a pulling action longitudinal the stem, butt-- end foremost, in a direction transverse and against a plurality of closely-arranged substantially-stationary stripping teeth, whereby the blade portions are effectively and expeditiously removed from the stem without material in ury.

The following views taken from my said application are sufficient to enable my method to be understood, in which Figure 1, is a sectional view showing the receiving end of the strippers, and the means for; holding the leaves during the stripping operation. Fig. 2, is a perspective view showing the leaves at the beginning of the stripping operation. Fig. 3, is a similar view showing a leaf partially stripped. Fig. 4, is a view showin the strippers in position for the entrance 0 the leaves.

In practicing my improved method of stri ping the leaves,the butt-ends of, stems f of t e leaves are gras ed by suitable holders a b, as shown, and e stripping devices 03 and e are separated, as shown 'in Fig. 4, to receive the butt-end .of the leaf stem. The stripperswhich consist of a plurality of closely-arranged teeth (preferably yielding) are then brought together which subjects the in presence of two leaf to a transverse movement or action of the stripping teeth, which arrange themselves as shown in Fig. 2. The leaves are then subjected to a pulling action in a direction longitudinal the leaf stem, and against the stripping teeth while the latter are substantially held stationary, or substantially against any movement approaching or transverse the pulling or stripping path. This Stripping or pulling movement is accomplished by a relative movement of the leaf and stripping teeth in a plane longitudinal the leaf stem, and this is accomplished by moving either the strippers, or the holders in said plane.

I have discovered that by subjecting the leaves to the foregoing action, the blade portions are strip ed from the stem and doubled up in front of the strippers substantially as shown at h, Fig. 3-, and without any substantial injury to the blade portions, and the stripped portions can thenbe removed in any desired manner.

Where stationary stripping teeth are v action.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The herein described method of stemming tobacco leaves, which consists in subjecting the leaves to a stripping movement in a stripping plane longitudinally of the leaf stem, and butt endforemost, against a plurality of closely arranged flexible teeth, and preventing any strippingaction transversely across the stripping plane, during the stripping movement.

In testimony whereof I' aflix my signature Witnesses.

JOHN O. MORRIS. Witnesses:

O. R. WRIGHT, J r., JOHN L. Fwroiernn. 

